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Standing the test of time           2016







 1992  African Sky’, and displaying the distinctive South   2012
 African national colours of blue, red, green and   In June, SA Airlink sells a 32.51% stake of the
 gold, along with the brightly coloured sunbird   company in a landmark broad-based black
 emblem. Airlink’s badging, while distinctly different   economic empowerment transaction. In December,
 from the franchise brand, demonstrates clear   ACSA presents six Feather Awards to SA Airlink
 alignment with SAA’s 'South African' brand.  in recognition of consistent service excellence at
 ACSA airports.
 2006
 2013
 1992  In March, SA Airlink commences direct services   2017                                              2019
 Business partners Rodger Foster and Barrie Webb   between Johannesburg and Kasane and between   SA Airlink celebrates its 25th anniversary under
 successfully bid for liquidated Link Airways. The   Johannesburg and Vilanculos, bringing the total   the same leadership, and the 50th anniversary of   2018  In December, the Airports Company SA (ACSA)
 new airline is named Airlink.  number of destinations in the SA Airlink   one of its root airlines, Lowveld Air Services, which   SA Airlink and FlySafair conclude negotiations for   presents a Feather Award to SA Airlink in
 network to 31.   started in 1967. In June, SA Airlink is chosen   a merger/acquisition by SA Airlink of FlySafair.   recognition of Best Performing Regional Airline.
 1995  On 11 June, Airlink celebrates 21 years in the   by the St Helena Government as its preferred   The application for authorisation to proceed is
 “SA Airlink” is officially launched on 25 March at   aviation industry. At this point, SA Airlink has a   bidder to provide a scheduled airline service to   turned down by the Competitions Commission on   2019
 a gathering of important guests, including Queen   turnover of more than two billion rand, employs   the island. In August, the first of the airline’s new   the grounds that the Competitions Commission   SA Airlink establishes its high-tech training centre of
 Elizabeth II.  about 1,000 staff, and carries one million-plus   Embraer E-190 E-Jets begin operating on routes   believes that SA Airlink and FlySafair are   excellence in conjunction with Embraer, housing both
 SA Airlink brand aligns with that of SAA and   2008  customers annually.  to Pietermaritzburg and Bulawayo. In December,   competitors. The matter is referred to the Tribunal,   an Embraer E190 and an Embraer ERJ145 simulator.
 SA Airlink joins the Voyager frequent flyer loyalty   SA Airlink, having successfully completed the IATA   ACSA presents Feather Awards to SA Airlink in   but before arguments are presented the application   These simulators operate up to five training slots per
 programme.   Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), is placed on the   2015  recognition of Best Performing Regional Airline and   is withdrawn, as the objectives of the shareholders   day and greatly assist in the cognitive, associative
 IATA Register on 6 February, assuring customers of   SA Airlink becomes the first domestic airline to   Best Performing Domestic Airline.  of SA Airlink and FlySafair had diverged.  and autonomous stages of pilot training.
 1997  the highest possible standard of service.  offer scheduled flights between Cape Town and
 SA Airlink joins SAA and SA Express in a strategic   the then recently refurbished Wonderboom Airport
 alliance that leads to the establishment of the   2009  in Pretoria.  2020
 leading aviation network in Africa.  In October, SA Airlink moves into its new   SA Airlink resumes operations during COVID-19 lockdown
 SA Airlink and SA Express adopt the 'South   head office in Greenstone Hill Office Park,   2016  level 3, operating on its own 4Z flight code, and terminates its
 African' franchise brand.  Modderfontein.  SA Airlink signs an agreement with the government   23-year franchise agreement with South African Airways (SAA)
                                                                     after SAA enters business rescue, defaults on its agreements
 of Madagascar to operate domestic air services
 1999  2011  within Madagascar, and regional air services            with SA Airlink, and stops operating.
                                                                      SA Airlink re-defines its business model as an independent
 Swaziland Airlink is formed as a joint venture   In December, the Airports Company SA (ACSA)   between Madagascar and key states within Africa
                                                                     comprehensive airline network incorporating all keys destinations
 company between Airlink and the Swaziland (now   presents four Feather Awards to SA Airlink in   and the Indian Ocean Islands.  within South Africa and Southern Africa.
 Eswatini) government.  recognition of consistent service excellence at   SA Airlink, in partnership with Embraer, opens
                                                                      SA Airlink establishes itself as the most comprehensive airline
 ACSA airports.  the Airlink Training Centre in Bonaero Park.        network system in Southern Africa, offering more connections to
 2000                                                                key cities within Africa and the world by way of interconnectivity
 On 3 April, SA Airlink officially opens the   2014  Skukuza Airport, allowing direct access to globally   within its own network and with the networks of its partner
 Kruger Park Gateway Airport in Phalaborwa.  SA Airlink launches the return of scheduled air   renowned wildlife destinations in the Kruger Park   airlines. SA Airlink introduces flights to new destinations,
 On 30 August, the franchise agreement   services between Cape Town and Johannesburg to   and nearby Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve.  including Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, East London, George,
 between SAA and SA Airlink is signed                                Dar es Salaam, Windhoek, Lubumbashi, Luanda and Maputo.
 as a bilateral relationship.                                         Qatar Airways and Emirates sign interline agreements with
                                                                     Airlink that will provide passengers with seamless connectivity
 2005                                                                via Cape Town and Johannesburg to more than 45 destinations
 SA Airlink commences air services to                                within Southern Africa.
 Antananarivo in Madagascar.                                          In September, SA Airlink (Pty) Ltd changes its corporate name
                                                                     to Airlink (Pty) Ltd to align the company with its trade name and
 2006                                                                brand 'Airlink', that had been in use since 2005.
 SA Airlink changes its corporate identity, adopting                  On 12 November, Airlink unveils its new livery and its new tail
 the brand 'Airlink', emphasising the airline’s                      insignia, clearly proclaiming its status as an independent airline.
 corporate positioning statement, ‘Freedom of the


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